Romanian students learn about their rights & why abuse is wrong
About 53,720 cases of abuse and 723 deaths - 30 of them children - were registered and reported in Romania from 2004 to the first semester of 2009. But unofficial reports raise the number of domestic violence and abuse cases to 800,000 and even more during the same period.
The ‘Child Phone Association’, which receives calls reporting sexual abuse, forced labour or neglect via a toll free number, which was shared with participates during the sessions, reported a 65% increase in calls compared to 2008. The increase indicates the phone number is being shared and used, but could also reflect the rising instances of abuse, as reported by the National Agency for Family Protection.
“The beaten is tears from heaven” is a harmful old Romanian mentality that says corporal correction can be an effective method of education and which justifies abuse in the home.
Parents’ lack of education, alcohol abuse, poverty and gender inequality, which is still prevalent in traditional Roma communities or within poor rural families, all contribute to the increase of domestic violence.
Children are the most affected because of their vulnerability and dependence on their caregivers to meet their basic needs. Many children aren’t aware that there are laws to protect their rights.
“The beaten children feel useless, ashamed to confront people; they start to shrink into themselves, to lose their friends. Maybe after a while they believe that they deserve to be beaten and start to become accustomed with the violence. The beaten children can be affected for the future, learning to become aggressive”, says Nico, 15, who participated in the information sessions.
The beaten children feel useless, ashamed to confront people... “I remember like it happened yesterday. It was past midnight and my mother and I were on the street and we rested the entire night outside. My father didn’t care about us and didn’t try to stop us when he heard that we would be leaving him permanently. My parents divorced after a short time and I decided to stay with my mother. Reality can be harsh sometimes...”, wrote Corina, a high school pupil in the ‘Stop the Violence’ essay contest in 2008.
“Abuse affects a child’s development in every one of his essential dimensions. The effects are profound and mark the entire life of the person. Children must be respected as a human being with equal rights and specific educational and development needs”, says Ramona Capatana, Educational Projects Coordinator for World Vision Romania in Valcea.
The information sessions also addressed parents’ essential role in children’s lives. How to control stress and anger and communicate and discipline children in a positive way were key aspects of training for 36 parents from Constanta County, as well as nine World Vision employees.
...if we spend more time with our children and we really participate in their lives, we can offer them a good education and a healthy mental life “Many parents admitted during this training that often, they lose patience and punish the children even when it is not deserved. I started to see many things differently and now, I know to appreciate everything that my child does and to reward and praise him. I didn’t do this before”, said Nicoleta, a World Vision Social Worker.
Teachers, priests and volunteers were also encouraged to participate in the information sessions, recognising that every one of them works with children and has a role to play in nurturing and educating them.
“There are simple methods to prevent violence. If we learn to listen to our children, if we encourage them to express themselves and to take part in the decisions which involve them, if we spend more time with our children and we really participate in their lives, we can offer them a good education and a healthy mental life”, shared Daniela Buzducea, World Vision Romania Advocacy Director.
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The ‘Child Phone Association’, which receives calls reporting sexual abuse, forced labour or neglect via a toll free number, which was shared with participates during the sessions, reported a 65% increase in calls compared to 2008. The increase indicates the phone number is being shared and used, but could also reflect the rising instances of abuse, as reported by the National Agency for Family Protection.
“The beaten is tears from heaven” is a harmful old Romanian mentality that says corporal correction can be an effective method of education and which justifies abuse in the home.
Parents’ lack of education, alcohol abuse, poverty and gender inequality, which is still prevalent in traditional Roma communities or within poor rural families, all contribute to the increase of domestic violence.
Children are the most affected because of their vulnerability and dependence on their caregivers to meet their basic needs. Many children aren’t aware that there are laws to protect their rights.
“The beaten children feel useless, ashamed to confront people; they start to shrink into themselves, to lose their friends. Maybe after a while they believe that they deserve to be beaten and start to become accustomed with the violence. The beaten children can be affected for the future, learning to become aggressive”, says Nico, 15, who participated in the information sessions.
The beaten children feel useless, ashamed to confront people... “I remember like it happened yesterday. It was past midnight and my mother and I were on the street and we rested the entire night outside. My father didn’t care about us and didn’t try to stop us when he heard that we would be leaving him permanently. My parents divorced after a short time and I decided to stay with my mother. Reality can be harsh sometimes...”, wrote Corina, a high school pupil in the ‘Stop the Violence’ essay contest in 2008.
“Abuse affects a child’s development in every one of his essential dimensions. The effects are profound and mark the entire life of the person. Children must be respected as a human being with equal rights and specific educational and development needs”, says Ramona Capatana, Educational Projects Coordinator for World Vision Romania in Valcea.
The information sessions also addressed parents’ essential role in children’s lives. How to control stress and anger and communicate and discipline children in a positive way were key aspects of training for 36 parents from Constanta County, as well as nine World Vision employees.
...if we spend more time with our children and we really participate in their lives, we can offer them a good education and a healthy mental life “Many parents admitted during this training that often, they lose patience and punish the children even when it is not deserved. I started to see many things differently and now, I know to appreciate everything that my child does and to reward and praise him. I didn’t do this before”, said Nicoleta, a World Vision Social Worker.
Teachers, priests and volunteers were also encouraged to participate in the information sessions, recognising that every one of them works with children and has a role to play in nurturing and educating them.
“There are simple methods to prevent violence. If we learn to listen to our children, if we encourage them to express themselves and to take part in the decisions which involve them, if we spend more time with our children and we really participate in their lives, we can offer them a good education and a healthy mental life”, shared Daniela Buzducea, World Vision Romania Advocacy Director.
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